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“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing…

I have been thinking this week about what it looks like to walk with God through faithful, giving service. These thoughts from Henri Nouwen were very encouraging: “What, then, is it that we do receive in ministry? Is it the hidden insights and skills of those to whom we want…

The writer of Ecclesiastes paints a powerful picture of team with the words, “A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” (Eccl. 4:12) Duke University basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski said,…

New Year’s Eve this year included a great adventure to the rifle range to do some target shooting with a friend. It was fun. I enjoy zeroing in on a target. In life too, especially with the start of a new year full of new adventures ahead and greater things…

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.” (James 1:2) A coach and friend of mine told a great story about the discovery of real joy. It was about a man who became lost in the mountains, broke his leg, and found…

“The next day there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration. The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus’ mother told him, ‘They have no more wine.’ ‘Dear woman,…

1 Peter 5:7-8a “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind.” —— –What is weighing on you? What is slowing you down? –What burdens do you need to unload to make you more effective and efficient? –Consider what you are carrying,…

“Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening.” (Acts 16:25) They were in a strange city far from home. They were bringing good news to people who didn’t want to hear it. They were resented and oppressed and mobbed. The…

I love the transfiguration scene in Matthew 17. While Peter was talking, God spoke, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him.” (Matthew 17:5) God’s voice interrupted Peter’s voice with the encouragement to listen. It is always good when God’s voice interrupts ours. Listening…

The copy machine repairman was working on the office copier a few weeks ago. I told him how I admired people with the skill to work on such a complicated machine, with all the wires and computer boards and intricate complexities under the hood. He said something about how my…